Otagi Nembtsuji Temple

[Video]1200 STONE STATUES!? – Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto

What is the Otagi Nembutsuji Temple?

Otagi Nembutsuji is a Buddhist temple that’s famous for 1,200 stone statues. It is located in the north of Arashiyama. It can be reached by KYOTO bus.

The temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Its admission is only 300 yen.

Why 1200 Statues?

When Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, passed away, there were 500 disciples gathered together to mourn. 100 years after that, another 700 disciples got together for learning Buddha’s teaching more deeply.

In honor of this story, the chief priest of the OtagiNembutsuji temple started to create 500 statues in 1981 and then added 700 more after that.

The coolest part is, Most of the statues are carved by amateur visitors.